Line latch



Feb. 27, 1962 Filed Aug. 15, 1958 M. M. KINLEY LINE LATCH 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Myron M. /n /ey INVENTOR.

'BY/4417A, f/MWL Y M. M. KINLEY Feb. .27, 1962 LINE LATCH 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. l5, 1958 INVENTOR.

lay/47M $4 A'H/Vfyf United States Patent 3,022,558 LINE LATCH Myron M. Kinley, Los Angeles, Calif., assigner to John C. Kinley Filed Aug. 15, 1958, Ser. No. 755,231 8 Claims. (Cl. 24-134) This invention relates to new and useful improvements in line latches.

In well drilling and other operations, well tools and other devices are often supported and manipulated by a flexible line or cable, such as a wire line, electric line, sand line, drilling lines, or other similar lines, and in some instances such tools or devices become stuck or lodged in the well bore so that it is impossible to retrieve the tool or device by pulling on the flexible line. It then becomes necessary to sever the line at an inaccessible point in the well bore to salvage the line. When the line is severed, it becomes possible to either attach some other type of lishing tool to the stuck tool or device for retrieving such tool or device from the well bore, or to remove the stuck tool or device by pulling the tubing or pipe in which the stuck tool or device is located.

One type of cutting tool for severing the Wire line under the above circumstances is illustrated in U.S. Patent 2,794,619, issued June 4, 1957.

An object of this invention is to provide a new and improved line latch which is particularly suitable for engaging a wire line or other lexible line in a well which is cut by a cutting tool.

Another object of this invention is to providea cutting tool for a exible line having a new and improved means i for latching or gripping the flexible line cut by the cutting tool. p

A further object of this invention is to provide a new and improved line latch which has a means that is adapted to be moved substantially laterally into engagement with a llexible line for applying an efficient gripping action on the line.

A particular object of this invention is to provide a new and improved line latch for gripping a llexible line, wherein a pivoted gripping or latching member is adapted to be urged into gripping engagement with the exible line.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a new and improved line latch for gripping a exible line in a well, wherein the latch is adapted to be actuated sirnultaneously with the actuation of a cutting tool for the flexible line by either dropping a weight in the well or by using a time delay mechanism for actuation.

A further object of this invention is to provide a new ,and improved line latch or gripping structure wherein an actuator member is wedged between a stop member and a gripping member when the gripping member is in engagement with the line so that the reaction forces from the gripping engagement between said gripping member and said line act in a substantially lateral direction on said actuator member, whereby there is substantially no tendency of the actuator member to move longitudinally away from its position in which it is urging the gripping member into gripping engagement with said line.

Still a further object of this invention is to provide a new Aand improved line latch for gripping engagement with a line, wherein an actuator member is wedged between a gripping member and a stop member, and wherein the Stop member is movable to pull a back-up sleeve in a direction towards the gripping member as the actuator member is wedged between the stop member and the gripping member, whereby an increased gripping engagement on the line is obtained. 'l

The preferred embodiment of this invention will be described hereinafter, together with other features therebore casing or other well pipe.

to cut through the vflexible line laterally.

3,922,558 Patented Feb. 27, 1962 ice ` form of the tool of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a view, partly in section and partly in elevation, illustrating the upper portion of the tool shown in FlG. l to illustrate in particular the improved latch or gripping mechanism of this invention in its position prior to gripping engagement with the flexible line;

FIG. 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 2; i

HG. 4 is a perspective view of the actuator member which is preferably used in the line latch or gripping mechanism of this invention Vas illustrated in FlGS. 2-4 in particular; 1 v

FIG. 5 is a view similar to HG. 2, except that it shows the line latch or gripping mechanism in a gripping position; and

FIGS. 6A and 6B are views, partly in elevation and partly in section, which illustrate a modified form of the tool of this invention wherein a time delay mechanism is utilized for actuating same.

In the drawings, the letter A designates generally the cutting tool of this invention which is adapted to be dropped into a well bore, well pipe or casing C along a Y flexible line F. Theriiexible line F may be a wire line,

sand line, electric line, drilling line or any other flexible line, particularly those lines which are located in a well Generally, the flexible line F is connected to a well tool with a rope socket 10, and because the well tool(not shown) has become stuck in the Well bore or casing C, the tool A is used for cutting the exible line F and for gripping the cut portion of the exible line F above the point at which the line F is cut so that the tool A may be retrieved from the well bore or casing C by lifting the exible line F upwardly. The tool A has a tubular elongate body 11 which is preferably formed in several parts, and which has mounted therewith a cutting means and a gripping means to accom- Vplish the cutting of the flexible line F and the gripping thereof. v:As will be explained more in detail, the cutting means includes a cutting knife 12 and other structure which is substantially identical with the cutting means disclosed in the said United States Patent No. 2,794,619. The gripping means, as will be explained, includes a gripping member 14 which is adapted to be moved substantially laterally Without any appreciable longitudinal movement thereof for gripping engagement with the llexible line ,F after it has been cut by the knife '12.

Considering the invention in detail, it should be pointed out that the cutting means of the tool A has been illustrated in suflicient detail to show its relationship to the new and improved latch or gripping mechanism of the tool A, and further details of the cutting means are shown in said Patent No. 2,794,619. The cutter knife or blade l2 is held against movement by a shear pin 15, fbut upon the shearing or severing of such pin 15, the knife 12 moves from its position in the lower bore portion 11a of the body 11 through an opening 11b in the body 1l The cutter blade or knife i2 is moved laterally and the shear pin 15 is initially sheared by the downward movement of a wedge member 16 which has an inclined or wedge surface Lia thereon which moves behind the knife 12 to force same through the opening 1lb for cutting the ilexible line F. The downward movement. of thewedge men 1oei` 16 in the bore lia of the 'body 11 is limitedby con- Vhole 14n formed in the gripping member 14.V

tact with ya stop memberY 17 .which has an inclined face.`

17a which has substantially the same inclination as the inclined surface 16a. The stop member 17- is integral with the body'11 or is secured thereto by' any suitable means such as aY removable bolt 18. The wedge member 16 is moved downwardly by the force of an explosion of an explosive powder 20 Aconfined above the wedgeY movement of the ring pin 22 is limited, but downward movement thereof for the striking ofthe cartridge 21 is permitted Downward movement is imparted to the ring pin 22 through Va longitudinally movable actuating rod 24 and an impacthead 25 which is also longitudinally movable with respect to the fbody 11. Preferably, the rod 24 nad the head 25 are separate Yfrom each other fand are separate from the tiring pin 22, but they may be formed or connected together if desired. In the form of the Vinvention shown in FIGS. l-5, the impact head 25 is engaged Vby a weicht W (FIG. l and FIGS) which is dropped in the well bore or casing C so as to strike the impact head-25. The head 25 has a longitudinal groove 25a for receiving a screw 27 or other suitable means to limit the rotational movement of the'head 25 and to prevent an inadvertent removal ofthe head 25 from the body Y11. With regard to the improved latch or gripping mecha- Y nism of this invention, the gripping member 14 is mounted in arlateral window ror opening 11d of the body 11; The gripping member 174. isV mounted for pivotal 4. 35 on the reduced diameter portion 24a of the rod 24 (FIG. 2). Upon a shearing or severing of such pin 3d, the member 35 is then free to move longitudinally with respect to the rod 24.

A spring 38 or other resilient means is provided on the rod 24 and it is confined between an annular laterally extending shoulder 24b and the lower surface of the actuator V35. Prior to the actuation of thegripping member 14, the actuator. member 35 is held in a iixed position on the rod 24 by the releasable shear pin 36 and in such position, the spring 38 is under compression between the shoulder 24h andY the lower end of the actuator member 35. YTherefore, when the shearV pin '36 is released, the spring 38 urges the actuator memberv 35 upwardly with respect Vto the rod 24 (FIG. 5).

The upwardly and inwardly inclined orV tapered surface 35C on the actuator member 35 is in engagement with the lower inner surface section 14j whenthe gripping member 14 isin its retracted non-gripping position and the actuator member 35 is in its position connected to the rod 24 with the releasablepin. The surface section ,idf is inclined soV that it conforms substantially to the inclination of thetsurface 35e when the gripping member is in its retracted non-gripping position as Ybest seen in FIG. 2. The upper section 14g of the inner surface of the gripping member 14 is inclined so that it has substantially the same inclination as the inclined surface 35C of the Vactuator mem-ber 35 when the gripping member 14 has ben pivoted or moved outwardly to its gripping position (FIG. 5)'

. In order to stop the upward movement of the actuator member and to also wed-ge the actuator member 35 against .the gripping member 14 when it has been moved vto the gripping position, astop member 40 is provided in the bore portion 11e of Athe body 11 at a position substantially laterally opposite from the grippingl member 14. The stop member 40 is provided with an 'inclined movement about a pivotal connection pin or rodV 29 which'extends from the longitudinally Vextending Walls on each side of the opening or window 11d through a pivot The member 14 may be formed in one piece or it may be formed `of a plurality of pieces which are welded or otherwise secured together as illustrated in FIG. 3. The member 14 is provided with an outer surface 14b and a lower survfacer14c which come together and form a relatively 'Sharp point 14d which'is adapted to engage and embed Y itself intoa portion ofthe liexible line F in gripping Lengagement therewith, as will be explained in detail. As the tool A is being loweredinto the well on the exible line F, and prior to the actuation of-Vthe gripping member 14 into gripping engagement with the flexibleV line F, the

vmember 14 is held in a retracted non-gripping position (FIG. 2) lby a retaining pin 30 which extends through an yopening 14e in the gripping member14. In such reor opening 11d.

TheV slidable rod 24 which is positionedV in the upper bore portion 11e of the body 11 is preferably formed Vwith a reduced diameter portion 24aV at its upper end. An actuator member 35 has abore or longitudinal opening 35a therethrough. In Vthe preferred form of the in vention, Ythe vactuator member 35 is substantially cylin-n drical as indicated at 35b (FIG. 4) Aexcept for two at inclined or tapered wedge surfaces 35e and 35d. The

actuator member 35 is mountedV on the reduced diameter portion v24a of the rod 24, with theV reduced diameter portion 24a extending through the bore 35a of the member 35. A releasable attaching means such as a shear Vpin 36 extends through the rod portion 24a and the actuator memberY 35 to releasably position the member surface 49a which has substantially the same upward and inward inclination as the upwardly and inwardly inclined surface 35d on the actuator member 35. 'I'herefore, when the actuator member 35 has reached lits upper position wherein it has its inclined surface 35e in contact with the inner surface section 14g of the gripping member 1'4, the actuator member 35 is wedged between the surfaces 49a of the stop member 40 andthe surface 14g of the gripping member 14. In such position, the spring 3S is exerting an upward force on Ithe actuator member 35. The reaction force caused bythe tendency of the flexible line F to move the pivoted gripping mem- .iber 14 about its pivot connectionV 29 is'directed lin a in opposition to the spring force from the spring 3S.'

Therefore, when the actuator member 35 has wedged itself between the stop member Y40 and the gripping member 14 as shown in FIG. 5, the spring 38 can readily hold the actuator member 35 in its upper position and therefore there is substantially no tendency for the gripping member 14 to force thev actuator member 35 downwardly. In fact, the reaction force causedby the gripping engagement of the-gripping member 14 with the exible line F would tend to exert a somewhat upward force on the member 35 because of the location of the pivot pin 29 Vabove the pointed contact endor point 14d ofthe member 14. Thus, as theY reaction -force on the gripping member 14 acts on the member 14 tolmove same away from the exible Yline F, the 'gripping member 14 would tend to swing in a downward clockwise arc about y to exert an upward force ou the actuator member 35 which would act in the same direction as the spring 38. However, since the surface 14g and the surface 357e` are flat surfaces, such lupward movement of the actuator escasas member cannot be accomplished and therefore the actuator member 35 remains in a locked wedged position behind the gripping member 14.

In the preferred form of the invention, the tool A of this invention is slidably attached to the line F by lower guide sleeve 45 (FIG. 1) and upper guide sleeve 46 (FIGS. 1-3 and 5). The sleeve 45 serves as a back-up member during the cutting of the line -F with the cutter member 12, and similarly, the sleeve 46 serves as a backup member to confine the exible line F during the 4gripping action with the gripping member 14.

For increasing the effectiveness of the gripping action of the gripping member 14 on the line F, the stop member is connected with the sleeve 46 by means of `a screw 47 or other fastening means, and the stop member 49 and the sleeve 46 are laterally movable together. The member 40 is formed with a ange 40h which engages the vertical llat surface 11i formed on the body 11 adjacent to the bore 11e. The inner portion of the member 4) extends through an opening 11g in the body 11 as best seen in FIG. 3 of the drawings and .the Contact of the lflange 46h with the surface 11f limits the inward movement of the member `4()- towards the actuator member 35. However, the member 4i) is movable lateraliy away from the actuator member 35 as the member 35 moves upwardly relative to the member 49 with the surfaces 35d and hda in contact with each other. During such lateral movement of the member 4), an upper sur tace '40C of the member 4i) is in sliding contact with the upper wall 11p of an opening in the body 11 and a lower surface 40d of the member 4G is in contact with a lower wall 11n The sides of the sleeve or band 46 slide along attened body surfaces or lgrooves 11m and 11n (FG. 3) as the member 4G is moved laterally. If desired, the band may be formed of a resilient .metal or other material which engages the surfaces 11m and 11n with sufficient friction to normally prevent the lateral movement i the member 49 from its inner position V(FIG. 2) until it is urged laterally by the actuator member 35 to the gripping position of FIG. 5.Y

inv connection with the retaining member or pin 3i? and a retaining member or pin 36, it should be pointed out that the pin 39 may be omitted because the weight of the gripping member 14 may serve to hold it in the retracted non-gripping position of FIG. 2. Such 4pin 34) is of cource sheared upon the upward movement of the actuator member 35 relative to the gripping member 14 if such pin 3Q is employed. The shear pin 36 may take numerous forms, but; as illustrated in the drawings, it serves to hold the actuator. member 35 in position on the reduced diameter portion 24a of the rod 24 until such time as the pin 36 is severed or sheared. For this -purpose, the body 11 is provided with a shoulder 11h which is adapted to be engaged by the lower end of the actuator member 35 upon a downward movement of the rod 24 so as to cause the rod 24 to move relative to the member 35 for shearing the pin 36. v

In the operation or use of the form of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1 5, the tool A is positioned-on the flexible line F at the surface of the well with the iiexible line F extending `through theguide sleeves and 46. The tool A is then dropped in the'well bore or casing C and it is guided downwardly on the ilexible line F. When the tool A has reached a position in the vicinity of the lower end of the exible line F, generally in contact with the rope socket 10, a weight W is dropped in the well bore or casing C for imparting a downward impact or blow to the impact head 25. Such impact causes the 'head 25 to move from the position shown in FIGS. l

and 2 to the position shown in FIG. 5. The downward impact from the weight W is transmitted through the rod 24 to the tiring pin 22 and thus a blow is imparted to the firing cartridge 21 whichv causes the powder 29 to explode. The explosion from the explosive powder 2t) forces the plunger or wedge member 16 downwardly for initially shearing the pin 15 and for moving the knife 12. laterally through the flexible line F to out the line F. The downwardv movement of the plunger or wedge 16 is stopped when the surfaces 16a and 17a are in contact.

Substantially simultaneously with the ring of the explosive powder 26 and therefore the cutting of the lineV ydownward movement of the rod 24 with respect to the actuator 35 releases the shearing pin 36 md the actuator n member 35 is then free to move longitudinally with respect to the rod 24 and the body 11. Since the spring 38 is under compression,.the spring 38 acts to urge the actuator member 35 upwardly as soon as the pin 35 is slteared or released. The initial upward movement of the actuator 35 forces the gripping member -14 to pivot about its pivot 29 with a suicient force to shear the shearable retainer pin 30. Thereafter, the gripping member 14 moves substantially laterally and without any appreciable longitudinal movement about its pivot pin 29 so that the point 14d is caused to engage in gripping engagement with the flexible line F. The surface 35e` moves in sliding engagement with the surface section 14j at the inner or rear portion of the gripping member 14, and when the gripping member 14 has reached its gripping position, the surface 35C is in substantially complete engagement with the upper inner surface section 14g lof the gripping member 14. Also, at that time, the surface 35d of the member 35 is in engagement Vith the inclined surface 49a of the stop member 4G so as Vto wedge the actuator member 35 between the stop member 4t) and the gripping member 14. Since, as previously explained, there is substantially no force acting on the actuator member 35 to move same in a downward direction, the spring 3S effectively holds the member' 35 in its wedged position between the stop member 4Q and the gripping member 14 toV assure an effective gripping action on the exible line F. Also, the stop member 40 is moved laterally away from the actuator member 35 which pulls the sleeve or band 46 towards the gripping member 14 to apply a positive back-up force on the line F so as to counteract the tendencyof the line F to move away from the member 14 as it engages same. Nhen the actuator member 35 has reached its upper position (PEG. 5), it is therefore exerting a force on lthe ygripping member 14 in one direction and a force on the sleeve 46 in the opposite direction so as to squeeze the yline F between the gripping member 14 and the sleeve 46. The tool A is thus eiectively latched or gripped with the liexible line F and it may therefore be retrieved from the well bore or casing C by raising upwardly on the flexible line F.

The tool A of this invention may be actuated by a time delay mechanism in the well instead of the dropping of a weight as explained in connection with FIGS. 1-5. In FIGS. 6A and 6B, the tool A of this invention has been modilied to show its use withV a time delay mecha.- nism. The type of time delay Aor trip mechanism which is illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6B is shown in'detail in United States application Serial No. 681,526'iled September 3, 1957, which application has now been abandoned in favor of United States application Serial No. 724,962, which is a continuation-impart thereof, and sufficient structure of such time `delay or trip device is illustrated in FIG. 6A hereof to show the relationship thereof to the present invention. Also, due to the fact that the time delay or trip device may deliver a somewhat reduced impact as compared to the impact delivered by the dropping of .a weight, the tool A has been modii the use of the tool A.

With respect to the time trip device, which is particularly shown in FIG. 6A, it has a body or housing 5% which is attached to the body of the tool A so as to form a continuation thereof above the tool A. The body 111 'Y of the tool A as illustrated in FIG. 6B is identical with the body 11 as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, except for certain changes in the bore sizes, as will be explained. 'Ihe body 59 is formed in several sections, and a central chamber 50a is formed in the body Si). A container 51 having a chemical therein is positioned in the chamber 50a on the upper end of a plunger 52. The container 51 is closed at its upper end byV a plug 53 or any other `suitable means which is in engagement with a retaining member 54. A spring 55 is an ordinary coil spring and it has its lower end resting on the upperV surface of the plunger 52 and its upper end is in engagement with the retaining member 54. A screw 56 which is threaded into corresponding threads 561; engages the upper end of the retmning memberY 54 to hold the member 54 in a position with the spring 55 under compression and with the lower end of the member 54 in engagement with the plug or closure 53 in the container 51. The plunger 52 is prevented from moving downwardly because of a lock pinv 58 extending therethrough and in engagement with a laterally extending inner shoulder 50cY on the body 5d. The plunger 52 has a seal 60 therewith in sealing engagement with the ywall of the bore Stld below Vthe shoulder 50c. The plunger 52 is also preferably provided with an air or gas vent 52a which extends from its lower end to its upper Vend so that there is fluid communication between the area in the bore 50d below the plunger 52 and the area above the seal 60 in the bore 58a. A plug 61 of any suitable shape may be Vused for closing the upper end of the opening or passage 52a soV as to prevent liquid from ilowing through the opening 52a inadvertently. However, lthe plug l61 is readily removable when a pressure develops in the bore 59d below the plunger 52 upon a downward movement of the plunger 52, as will be more evident hereinafter.

The container 51 is formed of a irangible material such as glass and it holds a chemicalwhich is capable of reacting with the lock pin 58 to dissolve same suliiciently to cause a fracturing orshearing of the pin 58 and a subsequent downward movement of the plunger 52 by the action of the spring 55 forcing the plunger 52 downwardly. Thus, if the pin 1 5 is,by way of example, an acrylic resin orga polyvinyl acetate resin, as previously stated, then the chemical liquid in the container 51 would `be a solvent such as acetone, methyl acetate, ethyleneY dichloride, monomeric methyl rnethacrylate, or benzo peroxide. Other materials for the lock pin S andthe chemicals in the container 51 may of course be used.

The time trip device serves to impart an impact or blow to the impact head or rod 125 whichcorresponds with the impact head 25 in FIG. 5 of the drawings. In other words, as Will be more fully explained, the time delay or trip mechanism asV illustrated in FIG..6A serves to impart a blow or impact tothe impact head 125 after a predetermined period of time has elapsed and such blow is transmitted ina manner similar to that explained previously in connection with the dropping ofl the weight W inFlGS. 1-5. Thus, the impact head 125 transmits the impact to the rod'124 which is in all respectsidentical with the rod24 of FIGS. 1-5 VVexcept for the lower extension 65 formed therewith for extending through seal 66. It should be pointed out that the impact head or rod 125 also extends through a seal 67, and it is desirable for the Vdiameters of the rod 125 and the lower extensionV 65 to be substantially the same so that fluid pressure be-l tween the seals 66 and 67 does not have any affect on 4the movement of the rod 124 or the rod 125. Therefore,

even though there are fluctuations in the pressure of the` uuid in the well casing or bore, they do not reduce the impact or blow imparted from the time trip device by the downward movement ofthe plunger 52. The seals 66 and 67 are preferably O-rings made of rubber or similar resilient sealing material. An additional O-ring or other seal 88 is also provided in the body 111 to prevent uid flow around the packing gland 70. Also, an additional rubber seal 21a (FIG. l) surrounding the cartridge 21 is preferably provided to prevent uid from passing to the areaof the explosive powder 20 (FIG.'1). ln any event, the diameters of the rod 125 and the lower extension 65 should be substantially the same for the equalization of the uid pressures acting thereon. The changes which result in the housing 111 as a result of the modified impact head V125 and lthe inclusion of the lower extension 65 as compared to the form of the in- Vention shown in FIGS. 1-5 are believed evident. rest ofthe structure'in connection with the gripping mechanism which is illustratde in FIG. 6B is identical with that previously described in connection with FIGS. 1-5 and like parts bear the same numerals inVFIGS. 1-5 and FIG. 6B. Y

In the operation or use of the form of the invention shown in FlGS. 6A and 6B,'the tool in its complete form is mounted on the flexible line F with the guide Ysleeves 45 and 46 around the'ilexible line F, and at that time, the screw 56 is turned inwardlytowards the container 51 so as to move the retaining member 54 towards the plunger 52. Such movement Vplaces the container 51 under compression and eventually fractures it so that the contents thereof ow downwardly around the upper end of the plunger 52Vand contact the lock pin 58. The` iluid is of course confined within thef chamber'tla and it is a uid of the type described previously which is capable of dissolving or otherwise weakening the pin 58 so that eventually theY spring is capable of forcing the plunger 52 downwardly. Upon avdownard movement ofthe plungerV 52, any airV or gas which is trapped Vin the bore 56d below the plunger 52 is permitted to escape through the escape passage 52a. The initial compression of the gas in the bore 50d lbelow the plunger-.52 forces the plug 61 out'of'the passage 52a and thereafter the gas freely FlowsV through theY passage 52a as the plunger V52 moves downwardly. The plunger 52 contacts the upper end of the impact head 125 and imparts a downward impact or blow thereto. Y

lt will be understood that there is a suil'icient time delay from the initial cracking or fracturing of the container 51 until the lock pin 58 isdissolved or weakened enoughfor the spring 55. to'move the plunger 52 downwardly so that the tool is already at theV position for cutting the exible line F when the lock pin l58 is fractured. ln other words, as the tool is being dropped along the flexible line F in the well toits position substantially as shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings, the dissolving or other chemical action between the liquid which is released from the container 51 and the pin 58 is continuing. The amount of time involved before the pin 58 is dissolved Oroth'erwise weakened by the liquid which is released from the container 51 may of course be predetermined by properly selecting the liquid andthe material Vand size of the pin 58. v Y

The blow or impact which is imparted tothe impact Y head 125 by the plunger 52 is transmitted through the rod 124 to the iringpin 22 and then to the tiring Vcartridge 21.Y The explosion thus takes place as described previously in connection with FIG. 1 of the drawing so as to move the cutter 12 through the flexible line F to cut same. The actuator member 35 is valso released as explained in connection with FIGS. 1-5 of the drawings to move the gripping member 14 into gripping engagement with the Viiexible line F as shown in FIG. 5 of the drawings. v

TheY foregoing disclosure and description of the invention is illustrative and explanatory thereof andY various The changes in the size, shape and materials, as well as in the details of the illustrated construction, may be made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. Aline latch for gripping engagement with a exible line, comprising a body, a gripping member, pivot connection means mounting said gripping means on said body for pivotal non-longitudinal movement into gripping engagement with the flexible line, an actuator member, means mounting said actuator member on said body ror longitudinal non-pivotal movement relative to said body, coacting surfaces on said gripping member and said actuator member for engagement with each other as said actuator member moves longitudinally for urging said grippinfy member to pivot into said gripping engagement, resilient means for moving said actuator member longitudinally relative to said body, and a releasable retaining means for preventing movement of said actuator member by said resilient means until released.

2. A line latch for gripping engagement with a exible line,'comprising a body, a gripping member mounted on said body for movement into gripping engagement with the exibie line, an actuator member mounted for movement relative to said body for urging said gripping member into said gripping engagement, laterally movable Contact means for applying a connteracting force on the iiexible line in a direction towards said gripping member, and means for mounting said contact means on said body for lateral movement for applying said counteracting force to prevent the exible line from moving away from the gripping member as the line is engaged oy the gripping member.

3. A line latch for gripping engagement with a ilexible line, comprising a body, a gripping member for gripping engagement with the flexible line, means connecting said gripping member to said body for movement relative thereto from a retracted non-gripping position to an extended gripping position in gripping engagement with the flexible line, actuating means for moving said gripping member from the retracted non-gripping position to the extended gripping position, contact means engageable with the side of the flexible line which is opposite from said gripping member, and means operable by said actuating means for moving said contact means in a direction towards said gripping member for preventing the flexible line from moving away from the gripping member as the line is engaged by the gripping member.

4. A line latch for gripping engagement with a line, comprising a body, a gripping member adapted to grip said line, an actuator member longitudinally movable relative to said gripping member for moving said gripping member into gripping engagement with said line, a backup element extending around the side of the line opposite from said gripping member, a stop member adapted to be engaged by said actuator member, means connecting said stop member to said back-up element for movement together relative to said body, and means for urging said actuator member longitudinally relative to said gripping member and said stop member for moving said gripping member into gripping engagement with the line and for simultaneously moving the back-up element towards the line to squeeze the line between said back-up element and said gripping member.

5. The structure set forth in claim 4, wherein said actuator member is wedge shaped and is positioned between said gripping member and said stop member for wedging engagement with corresponding Wedge surfaces on said gripping member and said stop member when said gripping member is in gripping engagement with the line. Y 6. The structure set forth in claim 4, including pivot connection means for pivotally connecting said gripping member to said body for pivotal movement thereof to thereby obtain substantially lateral movement thereof into gripping engagement with said line.

7. A line latch for gripping engagement with a line, comprising a body, a gripping member adapted to grip said line, an actuator member longitudinally movable relative to said body and said gripping member for moving said gripping member into gripping engagement with said line, said actuating member having a plurality of inclined external surfaces, one of said inclined surfaces being engageable with the inner portion of said gripping member to move same into gripping engagement with said line, and a stop member mounted on said body and having an inclined surface engageable by another of said inclined external surfaces on said actuating member to wedge the actuating member between said stop member and said gripping member when said gripping member is in gripping engagement with said line.

8. A line latch for gripping engagement with a line, comprising a body, a gripping member adapted to grip said line, an actuator mem er longitudinally movable relative to said body and said gripping member for moving said gripping member substantially laterally into gripping engagement with said line, said actuating member having a plurality of inclined external surfaces, one or" said inclined surfaces being engageable with the inner portion of said gripping member to move same into gripping engagement with said line, a stop member mount ed on said body and having an inclined surface engageable by another of said inclined external surfaces on said actuating member to wedge the actuating member between said stop member and said gripping member when said gripping member is in gripping engagement with said line, and resilient means for maintaining said actuating member tightly into its wedged position between said stop member and said gripping member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,503,567 Wallis et al. Aug. 5, 1924 2,185,303 Kinley Ian. 2, 1940 2,715,008 Huber Aug. 9, 1955 2,794,619 Lawrence et al. June 4, Y1957 2,816,155 Barnes Dec.'10, 1957 2,825,536 Kenneday et al. Mar. 4, 1958 

